NEW ORLEANS – In close partnership with the state’s Recovery School District (RSD), big changes are underway in Orleans Parish School District 4. Leslie Ellison, vice president of the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) and the representative for District 4, said construction on the $48.9 million Edna Karr High School is moving forward. Additionally, renovations to Harriet R. Tubman Elementary are nearing completion. These improvements will allow students to be educated in safe, state-of-the-art facilities, she said.
Plans to build a new, modern Edna Karr High School are currently in the design phase with a projected competition in October of 2019. The project, which is located at 4400 General Meyer Ave. on the west bank, has received 100 percent of its construction documents. Construction is currently waiting on a U.S. Corps of Engineers permit to begin drilling test piles. This permit from the Corps has been delayed due to high water in the Mississippi. The new building will house students in grades 9 through 12.
Additionally, the $17.6 million Harriet R. Tubman Elementary School renovations are underway with a forecasted completion date in May of 2018. Renovations for the elementary school will include refurbished windows, floor replacement and repairs to sidewalks. The west bank school site is currently in use. Harriet R. Tubman currently houses children in kindergarten through 8th grade.
“The Orleans Parish School Board in partnership with the Recovery School District is in the midst of a historic $2 billion rebuilding effort,” said OPSB Vice President Ellison. “As the OPSB representative for District 4, I have fought hard for these funds to be dedicated to the west bank and soon we will have a beautiful new campus at Karr. This is a historic moment. Many thanks to the hard work of Superintendent Lewis for helping to make it a reality. I look forward to helping to cut the ribbon!”
OPSB currently oversees 41 schools, including 20 networked Charter schools, 17 non-networked Charter schools, four network schools and one educational program for students in secure care facilities.
